Vol. 39, No. 6 June, 2015

JEHOVAH-SHALOM

THE LORD SEND PEACE

“And the LORD said unto him, Peace be unto thee, fear not, thou shalt not die. Then Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD and called it Jehovahshalom unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.” (Judges 6:23-24).

A Great word is the word, PEACE. It is used much and yet so little is known of it. In the time of the Judges, Israel should have been at peace. They should have been busy occupying the land. Peace should have reigned in every heart. God had brought Israel through the Egyptian bondage, through the wilderness journey, across the river Jordan, and into the fruitful land. But after their leader Joshua died, Israel forgot all of God’s blessings and began to go after other gods. Judges 17:6 says; “In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” Every man did his own thing. “I have my rights and I am going to do things my way.” This is humanism. And again today, we are in the midst of Humanist Doctrine. It is everywhere, and like Israel, we are in a bad condition. It is the worst of times when man does that which is right in his ownway of thinking, when there is no seeking the mind of God. Let me share some things with you today. I trust the

Dear Lord will open our understanding. May He grant us His Peace. Let us try to bring the

conditions of the land of Israel at that time to the day and time in which we live.

1. THE NEED FOR PEACE.

Peace was missing from the land. It was a time of oppression. The Midianites were the oppressors. The Bible says, “They forsook the Lord and served Baal and Ashtaroth. And the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel and He delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and He sold them into the hands of their enemies round about so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies. Whithersoever they went out, the hand of the Lord was against them for evil, as the Lord had said, and as the Lord had sworn unto them, and they were greatly distressed.” (Judges 2:13-15). The Israelites had to hide in caves and dens. They called upon the name of the Lord only as a last resort. This was a time of captivity, deliverance, forsaking the Lord then back to captivity. This endless cycle. “And the Lord raised them up Judges, the the Lord was with the Judge and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the Judge, for it repented the Lord because of their groanings by reason of them that oppressed them and vexed them. And it came to pass, when the Judge was dead that they returned and corrupted themselves more than their fathers in following other gods to serve them, and bow down unto them, they ceased not from their own doings, not from their stubborn way.” (Jud. 2:18-19). And still, in those troubled times the Lord was continually striving with the nation. In Judges 6:11, the Bible says that the Angel of the Lord appeared unto Gideon. Gideon asked the Angel two questions…

(A) the first question. “If the Lord be with us, why then is all this befallen us?” Why are we in this condition? Why are we oppressed? Why all this violence? Why? Why? Why? And we ask the same questions today. “What’s wrong with our nation? This is the most prosperous nation in the world. We began with a great acknowledgment of God in the founding of this land. Our forefathers consulted His Word (KJB). “In God we trust” became our great motto. But look across our land today. Violence, crime, murder, robbery, blood touches blood. Children are killers. Unsafe streets and neighborhoods. Abortions, unwanted children, child abuse, spousal abuse,, marriage vows forsaken, homosexuality is promoted as an alternate lifestyle, new venereal diseases are discovered regularly. The list goes on and on, and will continue to grow worse unless there is a turning back to the God of our fathers. Today, we have no absolutes, no right or wrong. Just do your own thing. If it feels good, do it! What’s wrong? The answer is the same as it was in Gideon’s day. As a nation, we have turned to other gods. Yes, there was religion in Gideon’s day. Any kind of religion you wanted. The worship of Baal and Ashtaroth was as vile as you could get. They are still here, we just call them by different names, HUMANISM, TOLERANCE, RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE, etc.

The second question Gideon asked the angel, “Where be all the miracles?” We have heard about the past. We have heard about deliverance from Egyptian bondage. We have heard about the Manna and water in the wilderness. We have heard about the crossing of the Jordan. We have heard about Jericho, about Ai, and the conquering of the land. We have heard that the fear of our God was in the heart of the enemy, but where are all of these miracles today? That was the cry of the heart of Gideon, and today we ask the same question, “WHERE BE ALL THE MIRACLES?” Where are the statesmen that stood for states rights? Where are the Judges that criminals fear? Where are the educators who taught Godly principals to our young? Where are the homes from which prayer was sent up daily? As we have said, there was religion in Gideon’s day, and there is religion in our day. In fact, there is any kind of religion you want. Just “name it and claim it.” But real revival? Much religion, but no real revival. Lots of rattles and noise, but let’s not mistake “rattles” for revival. When real revival comes, the things we have listed will change. When God comes on the scene, the enemy will be in flight. Lives will change, society will change. The Bible says that in the last days, men will seek peace, (Thess 5). The antichrist will rise to power with his policy of world peace, (Dan. 8:23-25). But “there is no peace saith my God to the wicked.”

2. THE NATURE OF PEACE.

(The characteristics, or function).

MAN NEEDS PEACE WITH GOD. A lot is said today about world peace, peace with fellow man, peace with neighbor, even peace of mind. But first of all, man needs peace with God. The Bible says that the unsaved man is the enemy of God. “For if when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” (Ro. 5:10). WE WERE ENEMIES! This all started in the Garden of Eden, (Gen. 3:1-5). Peace with God comes only through the merits of the Cross of Calvary. Receiving the message of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ is God’s answer to the peace problem of man.

MAN NEEDS PEACE WITH HIS FELLOW MAN. The Bible says, “For He is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us.” (Eph 2:14)

Christ broke down every barrier between man and God and between man and man. All hatred is gone. In Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek, bond nor free, male nor female, for ye are all one in Christ.”(Gal. 3:28).

MAN NEEDS PEACE WITH HIMSELF. The Bible says that “The wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace saith my God to the wicked.” (Isa. 57:20-21). Man seeks for that deep, inner peace. He reasons that perhaps if I had money, or pleasure, or possessions, or popularity, or position. But peace does not come through these things. Please take a few moments and read Ecclesiastes, ch. 2. The writer Solomon tried all of these things. When he looked about all he had accomplished, he said, “ALL IN VAIN.”

Yes, man needs peace with God, peace with others, and peace with himself. This peace comes through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Have you trusted Him? Have you asked Him into your heart and life? If not, Today is your day to begin to live forever. “For whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved.”(Ro. 10:13).

3. THE NURTURE OF PEACE.

(“To educate. To further develop.”) In our text in Judges 6, “That the LORD sent a prophet to the children of Israel, which said unto them, thus saith the LORD, I brought you up from Egypt and brought you forth out of the house of bondage . I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of all that oppressed you and drave them out from before you and gave you their land. And I said unto you, I am the LORD your God. Fear not the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell, but ye have not obeyed my voice.” (Jud. 6:8-10). The angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon and brought him a message of Hope, of Peace…

There must be a personal desire for peace..

Gideon had that desire. He knew that the land had desperate need. God does not send peace to the crowd, He sends peace to the individual. To the one who has that desire for peace, He is there, wherever you are, to grant you His Peace. “Peace I leave with you. My peace give I unto you, not as the world giveth, give I unto you, Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (Jn 14:27).

The Prince of Peace comes when you need Him. The Angel of the LORD appeared unto him and said unto him, The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valor.” Of course, the Angel of the LORD in the Old Testament is the same as our Blessed Lord Jesus in the New Testament…

Just when I need Him most,

Just when I need him most,

Jesus is near, to comfort and cheer,

Just when I need Him most.

And, as we have said, the Prince of Peace is there to hear your cry, and to grant His Peace.

He freely gives Peace to all who trust Him. You do not have to do some great thing, or be some great personality. He freely measures peace to all. “For He is our Peace.” “And came and preached peace to you which were afar off (gentiles) and to them that were nigh (Jews). For through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the father.” Thank God that He does not give some just a little, and to some, a little more,and to others much more. How long does it take for Him to grant His Peace? How long does it take for God to do anything? How long did it take for Him in creation? “and God said, and it was so.” “Therefore being justified with God we have, (right now) Peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ro. 5:1)

4. THE NECESSITIES FOR PEACE.

Peace must be maintained. Peace must be guarded. Peace is free, not cheap, but free. We must be careful to maintain that which God has so graciously poured out to us. Peace is fragile, not on God’s part, but on our part. God had so blessed the Nation of Israel, and granted His Peace, but they were careless. Our military forces patrol our coast lines, not looking for war, but maintaining Peace. We too must maintain that wonderful peace…

PEACE IS MAINTAINED IN OUR FAITHFULNESS TO THE PRINCE OF PEACE.

“His Name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, The Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. (Isa 9:6). We must be careful to guard our affection to Him and not let the cares of this world rob us.

PEACE IS MAINTAINED IN OUR FELLOWSHIP WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is Love, joy, PEACE.”

Daily seek His fullness in your life. The Holy Spirit is in you if you have received Christ. Please read John 16:7-15. He is in you to take the things of Christ and show them to you, to teach you, to nurture you. He is your friend.

PEACE IS MAINTAINED IN OUR FAMILIARITY WITH THE SCRIPTURES..

“Great PEACE have they which love thy Law and nothing shall offend them.” (Ps 119:165).

Read your Bible (KJB). Memorize the Scriptures.

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart that I might not sin against thee.”(Ps. 119:11).

PEACE IS MAINTAINED IN THE FIXATION OF OUR MIND.”Thou wilt keep him in perfect PEACE whose mind is stayed on thee because he trusteth in thee.” (Isa, 26:3). We need to have a daily renewing of our mind. Forgetting yesterday and looking for great things today. Presenting ourselves as living sacrifices. Living Holy and pure lives. Our minds are not to be entangled in the cares of this world. “Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the PEACE OF GOD shall keep your hearts and MINDS through Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:6-7).

Today, let us do these things…

Let us claim His Peace through faith in the finished work of our Saviour through His death and Resurrection for our Peace.

Let us be careful to maintain this Peace. Let nothing of this world rob us of His Wonderful Peace.

Let us faithfully tell others about the Wonderful Prince of Peace.

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THINK ABOUT IT…Since our Peace comes through the finished work of Christ on His cross, shouldn’t that be the place of our abiding? As Fannie Crosby wrote,

“Jesus keep me near the Cross.”

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GREAT PEACE

By Pastor George Mills

“And the God of Peace shall be with you.”

(Phil. 4:9)

Great Peace have they who love thy Word,

And nothing shall offend.

For they who use the Spirit’s Sword,

A Peace that knows no end.

In Perfect Peace our God will keep,

The mind that’s fixed on Thee.

In Peace I lay me down to sleep,

Peace reigns, constantly.

Great Peace through Holy Spirit Power,

Indwelling the believer’s heart.

Peace shall guard thee every hour,

Great Peace he does impart.

Great Peace with God through Calvary’s Cross,

As His Blood poured on the sod.

Great Peace because He bore our loss,

Great Peace with man, and God.

Great Peace have they who love Thy Word,

And nothing shall offend.

Great Peace shall flow from our Blessed Lord,

Until the very end.

Re: Psa. 119:165, Isa. 26:3, Gal. 5:22,

Eph. 2:14 Jn. 14:27.

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AND THE WORLD IS A WILDERNESS…It is no friend to the Christian. The world robs and seeks to destroy our Peace. We have no business in doing business with the one whose only business is to upset our business.

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Compare “versions”……

“Verily verily I say unto you, he that believeth on me hath everlasting life.”(Jn 6:47) (KJB)

“I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life.” (Jn 6:47) (NIV) This opens the way of salvation to anyone who believes anything, any god, any faith.

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FROM MY HEART

By Mildred Mills

HE LOVED US

“Honour thy father and mother which is the first commandment with promise.”(Eph. 6:2).

There are all kinds of Dads in the world today, hard working Dads and Dads that don’t work, Dads that spend time with their children and there are absentee Dads, Dads that are kind and loving and Dads that are mean and abusive. There are saved Dads, and Dads that have never received Jesus as their Saviour, but they are all Dads, no matter what and we are to honour our Dad. “Honour thy father and mother that thy days may be long upon the earth.”(Ex 20:12)

He may not be father of the century but he is your Dad and is to be honored. Love your Dad and let him know you love him. My Daddy was a hard working Dad, worked all day and was home all night, not an absentee Dad and I knew he loved us. He cared enough to get our attention when we needed to be reminded of who the boss was! Some might say he was mean and abusive and I thought the same thing when it was my time to be reminded of who was boss, but I knew he loved us. When we did wrong we answered to our Dad and believe me he had our respect. The most important thing of all about my Daddy is the fact that he called upon the Name of the Lord for Salvation. Yes, he was rough and tough when he needed to be, but kind and caring and always tried to help when he could. I Know he loved us. I honor his memory today and every day. I love you Daddy. Now, let me tell you about my Heavenly Father! He loves us with an everlasting love, He meets our every need, He watches over us as only He can do. He is a loving Father and yes, He will remind us that we do answer to Him when we go our own way and stray away from His teachings. He disciplines His own because He loves us. If you have never called on Jesus for Salvation, do it today. Ask Him to save you and He will. “For whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Ro. 10:13). “God loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” (1Jn. 4:10).

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YOU ARE WHAT YOU SAY

Pastor George Mills

“For thy speech bewrayeth thee.” (Lk. 22:73).

“For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” (Mt. 12:34)

Of course I do not agree with this “name it, claim it” doctrine that is very popular in these days. “Whatever you want, whatever you say, just speak it.” It sounds sorta like a “christian lottery” and it does not line up with sound Bible (KJB) doctrine rightly divided. The promises of God are conditional. I believe we are to use the Word of God against the adversary as did our Lord in Matthew 4. You are not necessarily what you say you are, you are what you say! Now, follow me as we search out some truths today. Yes, sooner or later your speech will reveal the real you. Before we look at the scriptures on this subject, let us see the world’s philosophy, or slogans, or sayings on related subjects.

YOU ARE WHAT YOU READ.

You will find that sign posted in many of the libraries. “YOU ARE WHAT YOU READ.” There is power in the printed page! This is one of the reasons why we spend time and money in publishing the Gospel message. In a real sense, you are what you read. Literature has had a great influence on our society. “What’s wrong with our nation?” people ask. “What’s wrong with our young people?” Well, what have we been reading? Do we spend time reading God’s Word?(KJB). “Thy Word have I hid in mine heart that I might not sin against thee.” What do you read? I believe that the monthly “LOVE STORY” magazines that were so popular opened up the flood gate of pornographic literature in our nation. They were the seed. Magazines that were family centered degenerated into nothing less than pornographic literature have bitten the dust. COLLIERS, LOOK, SATURDAY EVENING POST and others fed homes with rotten literature until God removed them from the scene. And the kids…what do they read? SUPERMAN, BATMAN, ROBIN, PLASTIC MAN, etc. These are nothing but the devil’s “Miracle men” to replace the Great God of the Bible in the lives of our children. What have we been reading. Children in school are forced to read about evolution while the Bible has been banned from our schools. What have we been reading? I have seen homes destroyed and the literature in those homes was part of the problem. Think of the transformation in our land if we returned to reading and obeying the Word of God. I am not saying anything against reading wholesome literature, but unwholesome literature is a problem. What have you been reading?

YOU ARE WHAT YOU THINK.

The power of positive thinking has been the philosophy of many today. For sure, I believe that our thought life influences what we are. Every deed, every act was first a thought. “If we think right, we will be alright,” is the Christless theology of many today. The problem here is that man is a sinner, and negative by birth and does not think in the positive. The Prophet Jeremiah said, “The heart is deceitful above all things else and desperately wicked, who can know it.” The heart meaning, the emotions, the thoughts. You do not know your own heart. Jesus said, “For out of the heart proceed EVIL THOUGHTS, murders false witness, blasphemies, these are the things that defile a man.”(Mt 15:19-20). Yes, a man’s thought life influences what he is. The problems of this world are from within. THINK ABOUT IT…If a man could have a new heart, then he could think right. This is the miracle of the new birth, a new HEART, a new life in Christ. (John 3:1-18). Show me a person who is wild and wicked and I will show you one who has a wicked thought life. A man cannot think right until he is right with God. The Psalmist said, “I THOUGHT on my ways and turned my feet unto Thy Testimonies.”(Psa. 119:59). Paul said, Whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, THINK ON THESE THINGS.”(Phil. 4:8). The Bible says that every thought can be brought to the obedience of Christ.”(2Cor. 10:5) Yes. In a real sense, YOU ARE WHAT YOU THINK.

YOU ARE WHAT YOU WEAR.

This is the motto of a clothing chain. “Clothes make the man.” In a real sense, our clothing reveals our character, or lack of it. This is known as the ‘sloppy generation.” Anything goes. The thing that bothers me about this is the fact that this has barged it’s way into the church world. Watch the religious programs on TV. Have you ever seen such a “sloppy style?” You have, if you have looked at the world. Even among preachers. I believe that if a man is standing in a pulpit and representing Christ he should look the part. But, our mind is on the world. What does the world like? As a Christian, our style should glorify God, and not magnify the world. When the world sees us they should be able to say, “That’s a man,” or “That’s a woman.” Modesty is still in style in God’s family.. Yes, what you wear says so much about you.

YOU ARE WHAT YOUR FRIENDS ARE.

My Mother told me many times; “son, be careful who you choose for a friend because people will judge you by the friends you have.” That is a Biblical truth! Paul says in 1Cor. 15:33; “Be not deceived, evil communications corrupt good manners.” Evil company corrupts good morals. You are known by the company you keep. This is why a Christian should choose Christian friends. It is so easy for us to become like those we identify ourselves with., Yes, you are what your friends are in so many ways. Talk about peer pressure!

YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT.

This is the motto of a well known weight watcher club. I have to agree much with that statement. Heart attacks, liver ailments, stomach cancer, ulcers, and sick digestive systems plague us today because of our eating habits. The Bible (KJB) is the textbook of the Christian life. I believe that the Bible has the answer for every need of the believer in things concerning life, even in determining our diet. If we eat as the Bible tells us to we will save ourselves many unhealthy hours. Read Leviticus, ch 11. This text clearly tells us what NOT to eat. These Old Testament dietary laws are not extinct. They are as up to date as today is. But we violate these laws, and we are paying for it. Now, please do not misunderstand me. I am not trying to start some “Religious Health,” or “Food Abstinence” club, or some “Holier than thou because we don’t” club. I am talking about good health. God knows the body. He made it. He knows what’s good for it. Yes, to a great extent, you are what you eat. If we eat right we will enjoy better health..

YOU ARE WHAT YOU SAY.

Not necessarily what you say you are, you are what you say. “Thy speech bewrayeth thee.” Your speech will reveal the real you.. Your speech reveals everything about you. Your education, your social position, even your birth place. Recently while talking to a man , I said, “Sir, you are not from around here, are you?” He stated that he lived here for more than twenty years, but his home was in upper New York state. Now, I knew that. His speech had already revealed that to me. A boy from Brooklyn may look like a boy from Georgia, but his speech will reveal that he is definitely NOT from Georgia.. Jesus said, “O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak of good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say unto you every idle WORD that men shall speak, they shall give account in the day of judgment. For by the WORDS thou shalt be justified, and by thy WORDS thou shalt be condemned.”(Mt. 12:34-37). The message is clear. If the words come out right, the heart must be right.. The Psalmist said, “Let the WORDS of my mouth and the meditations of my HEART be acceptable in Thy sight O LORD my strength and my redeemer.. When the heart is right the speech is right.“That if thou shalt confess with thy MOUTH the Lord Jesus and shalt believe in thine HEART that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the HEART man believeth unto righteousness and with the MOUTH confession is made unto salvation.” (Ro. 10:9-10).THINK ABOUT IT…What do you consistently talk about? Well, that’s what you are! Let’s talk about Jesus!

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ON PRAYER

What is Prayer? There are many books, lessons, tapes, etc on prayer. Most of these efforts are just for sales. Prayer is simply talking to God. If Christ is your Saviour, then God is your Father. Prayer is talking to your Father about your needs.

What prayer involves.

Prayer involves praying to God, our Father in the Name of Jesus Christ. He alone is our access to God in Prayer.

What Prayer accomplishes.

“The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Pray to God in the Name of Jesus. Pray in Faith believing, and you will accomplish much.

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Should I try to get a commitment every time I witness to someone?”

Yes, and no…

I do not believe that we should try to force a commitment. A person must understand that he/she is a sinner before being saved. Getting commitments, decisions, saying words, repeating prayers are in vain until each person understands that he/she is a lost sinner.

I cannot convince anyone of their lost condition. This is the Job of the Holy Spirit. He takes the Word and convinces that one of his/her lost condition. Many, many say that they are saved because they repeated a prayer of some kind. They are as lost after that prayer as they were before that prayer. Salvation is receiving Christ; “But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His Name. Talk to everyone, witness to everyone you can. The Holy Spirit takes the Word and convinces the sinner of his/her condition. So many are victims of a profession when they only repeated a prayer of some kind. It may take one some time for him to understand he is lost before calling on God. I am also aware that TODAY is the day of Salvation.

Be careful to follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit in your witnessing….God Bless!

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BRETHREN, PRAY FOR US

We believe that WILDERNESS Ministries are worthy of your prayers and support.

WILDERNESS Gospel Tracts. This Ministry began in 1966. Since the beginning we have offered our Tracts free to those who will prayerfully use them.

WILDERNESS Broadcast Ministry. The “Church in the Wildwood Broadcast” also began in 1966. For the last 10 years this is heard on the world wide web; Thewilderness.org.

WILDERNESS Monthly Publication began in 1976. This is mailed to homes and churches across the land.

WILDERNESS Prisons ministry. This monthly publication is mailed in bulk to Chaplain’s offices in state and city prisons.

WILDERNESS Internet Ministry. This Ministry reaches into many countries of the world every day. We have over ten years of messages on many subjects posted on our web-site both in print and spoken. This is available in nine languages.

We praise our Dear Lord for opening doors for this Ministry, touching lives of people here in our homeland and in foreign lands.

BRETHREN, PRAY FOR US